Young Boxers Given Grants for Equipment

Two San Fernando Valley youth boxing programs that have operated with donated equipment and money won approval for a city grant Tuesday to pay for boxing rings, punching bags and other boxing gear.

The Lanark Recreation Center in Canoga Park and the David M. Gonzalez/Pacoima Recreation Center in Pacoima will receive $16,000 each through the city Arts, Health and Humanities Committee.

The money is earmarked for equipment purchases only, City Council officials said.

“A lot of these youngsters would normally be running out in the streets,” said Joseph Dickson, director of the Pacoima center. “But now they’re here working out. This new equipment is going to be such a blessing for them.”

In all, about 60 children participate in the boxing programs, which will now be able to move beyond informal matches into official competition with gloves, protective gear and regulation-sized rings.

At Lanark, the young boxers modified the recreation center’s theater stage to use for sparring--until now.

“It was OK for just working out,” said Bill Dusenbery, Lanark center director. “But now we can have real exhibitions. This is going to be great.”